Juan Ledesma Manahan is fondly called Mr. M in showbiz, started out as a visual artist, painter and sculptor. He begun his career in directing in 1971, a freelancer and then directed shows for various local channels.
When BBC-2 re-opened in 1986, it became the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, and he was appointed as a resident director of the network.
Later on, Mr. M has introduced many brilliant artists. Let’s take a look at some of his achievements and why he is considered as this generation’s top star builder.
1. Directed Famous & Iconic shows: He was the director of iconic TV shows such as “Chika-Chika Chicks”, “Palibhasa Lalake”, “Tonight with Dick and Carmi”, and “Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata.” Many of the artists in these shows became famous and a lot of them are still very much active in showbusiness and doing well.
“Chica Chika Chiks” is a hit sitcom during the 80’s, aired on ABS-CBN from 1986 to 1991. The show revolved around the day to day life of a middle-class family. The cast member were Freddie Webb, Nova Villa, Carmi Martin, and many more.
“Palibhasa Lalake” was originally launched in 1987 up to 1998, with the main cast composed of Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez, Miguel Rodriguez, Gloria Romero, Cynthia Patag, Carmina Villaroel and Amy Perez.
“Tonight with Dick and Carmi”, this was a late-night musical show of ABS-CBN from 1988 to 1991, starring Roderick Paulate and Carmi Martin.
Tonight with Dick & Carmi – Carmi’s spot number with The Hotlegs / Opening number with Dick, Carmi, Gelli de Belen, Carmina Villaroel & The Hotlegs
“Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata”, this show replaced the “Dick and Carmi show” in 1990 to 1995, it is a political parody in the Philippine government in a comedy setting. Some of the cast members are Noel Trinidad, Tessie Tomas, Nova Villa, Jennifer Sevilla, Freddie Webb, Jolina Magangal, Carmina Villaroel, Ina Raymundo and Ogie Diaz.
2. Talent Center / Star Magic : In April 1992, Mr. M, who’s then a program director, together with Freddie Garcia, who was then ABS-CBN’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, came up with the idea of creating a pool of new stars who will be exclusive for the network.
This is the start of Talent Center, in its early years one of its projects was “Ang TV.”
The show auditioned thousands of people and approved chosen ones into the program. Soon it became mall shows, live concerts and record albums, which also became a springboard for the careers of many stars. “Ang TV” was also the door that opened the opportunities for the young Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Rica Paralejo, Kaye Abad, John Prats, Angelu de Leon, Victor Neri and many more.
Later on, Talent Center became Star Magic, which has produced most of today’s biggest and brigtest stars in the entertainment world, to name a few, Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Julia Montes, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, John Lloyd Cruz and Angelica Panganiban, and many more.
Star Magic is the training and management arm of ABS-CBN, designed to assist young talents in the Philippine entertainment
3. Director of many Big Time Concerts, here and abroad.
Aside from discovering and developing new talents, Manahan still directs television shows, movies, concerts and specials.
On the concert scene, he directed Sharon Cuneta’s Mega 30; Lea Salonga’s My Life on Stage, Martine Nieverra’s ‘Martin XXV.’ He also directed the collaboration of Martin Nieverra and Gary Valenciano’s major concert in September 2009; Daniel Padilla’s ‘Most Wanted Concert’; and the grand launching of Mall of Asia Arena, an all-star OPM concert entitled “Icons at the Mall of Asia Arena”, as Kapamilya, Kapuso and Kapatid stars unite in a one-night concert.
He also oversees shows produced abroad like “ASAP Kapamilya Caravans” (bringing the show to the US, Japan, etc.), The Hunks Tours, “ASAP 20 Live in London”, just to name a few.
4. Director of ABS-CBN Specials.
He is behind the major specials of the network like Ms. Earth pageants, even became a resident director of both Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Earth for several years; the Christmas and anniversary specials of ABS-CBN, celebrity weddings and debut specials of celebrities, and many other important shows of the network, where he brings together the famous and the not so famous celebrities together.
5. Great Mentor.
He mentored some of the great talents through Star Magic which includes Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and John Lloyd Cruz among others.
6. Unique ability to recognize the ‘It Factor’.
He has the exceptional skills and capacity to spot promising star in a crowd, and be able to carefully mold that person into an exceptionally talented artist. He also helped change the lives of many aspiring talents by transforming them into real celebrities.
7. Father Figure to celebrities.
Mr. M is like a father figure to many Kapamilya stars, nurturing and disciplining them.
Someone who looks after his “children” to make sure that they get the best opportunities to become successful, and they are protected from the intrigues that may tarnish their careers that they have worked hard for.
8. Well known in the industry as the best director for variety-shows on television, like “ASAP” (All-Star Sunday Afternoon Party), the longest-running musical variety show in the Philippines on ABS-CBN, has been shown every Sunday since February 5, 1995.
Many upcoming teenage stars of ABS-CBN were given exposure in the show and some of them had become bankable stars in showbiz.
Another ‘feather on his cap’ was the success of “Wowowee” which he also directed, all the elements in the show were his idea like the confetti showers, lighting under the stage, drum-works, pyrotechnics, camera shots to capture the audience reactions, editing of the whole show that gives emotional buildup and energized the crowd.
9. PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) awarded him the ‘2009 Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award’, this is in recognition for his contributions in television, as an accomplished director for more than 30 years.
For his undying love and passion for his craft, acknowledging Mr. Manahan’s credibility and integrity as a director-actor-writer, and his unending dedication as a talent-manager to discover, hone and serve as an inspiration to all those under his wings.
As a well respected, ‘Star Maker’ according to PMPC, he is one of those who launched the “Ang TV” show in 1992 to develop more home-grown talents for the network.
10. Career Legacy, Mr. M’s career accomplishments has been so tremendous that his mother network trusted him with key positions in the company : Director of Talent Center (1992-1994); Program Director of Production Department (1994-1996); Vice-President of Talent Development & Management Center (1996-2003).
In 2003 until 2007 he was Senior Vice-President of ABS-CBN Star Magic(use to be Talent Development & Management Center).
Though he retired in 2007, he remained as Head and Consultant of the said department and remains to be one of the pillars not only of the Kapamilya station, but the whole television industry.
The entertainment industry is fortunate to have a Mr. Manahan on-board, who has been responsible for creating top quality personalities and it will not be complete without him. The local show business definitely owes him big time!
Here’s a toast to another year of success and good health as Mr. M celebrates his big day on Feb. 11, 2016!